Improved last-holder



UNITED STATES` PATENT OFFICE.

`GEORGE II. SMITH, 0F LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS.

IHVIPROVED LAST-HOLDER.

Specification forming part of LettersPatent No. 39,839, dated September8, 1863.

cation, in which- Figure l is a vertical central section of myinvention, taken in the line m, Fig. 2 5 Fig. 2, a plan or top view ofthe same; Fig. 3, an inverted plan of a portion of the top plate of thedevice; Fig. 4, a detached view of a portion of the last-adjustingmechanism.

ASimilar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in theseveral figures.

This invention relates to a new and improved device for holding lastsdesigned for the use of shoe-makers.

The object of the invention is to obtain a device for the purposespecified, which will, by a simple adjustment, hold the last securely inposition, and at the saine time admit of the latter being inclined atany desired angle and turned or revolved as required while being thusinclined.

To enable those skilled in the art to fully understand and construct myinvention, I will proceed to describe it.

A represents a wooden post or stand secured to a base, B, which isscrewed or bolted to any proper support, and G is a metal cappiece ofannular form, provided with a crossbar, a, and screwed or bolted rmly tothe top of the post A. The post A and base B are both hollow, or haveopenings b made vertically in them, in which a bar, D, is fitted, saidbar being perforated with holes c at suitable distances apart, andpassing through the center of the cross-bar a and between two verticallugs, d d, thereon, as shown in Fig. 1.

E represents a horizontal bolt, one end of which is fitted in one of thelugs d, the oppothat it may, when necessary, be grasped by the fingersand the bolt drawn outward to liberate the bar D and admit of the latterbeing adjusted higher or lower, as desired.

To the upper end of the bar D there is attached by a pin or pivot, g, ascrew-bolt, G,

which is allowed to turn freely on the pin orA pivot g, and to thecap-piece C there is attached by hinges or joints h a circular metalplate, H, of the same diameter as the cappiece, and through the centerof which the bolt G passes. The center of the plate H, at its uppersurface, is provided with a circular hub, i, on which a circular metalplate, I, is tted and allowed to turn freely. rllhis plate I is of thesame diameter as the plate H and cap-piece C, and the bolt G passesthrough the center of I and has nuts j fitted upon it, which secure IonH. The upper surface of the plate I has two parallel vertical plates, JJ, cast with it, the inner surface of said plates extending from thecenter of I to its periphery. The inner surfaces of these plates aregrooved vertically their whole len gth as shown at k, to receive avertical bar, K, which has a toe-rest, L, at its upper end. The bar Kmay be tted in any of the grooves 7c to suit the length of the last,which is designated by M. The toe of the last M is tted on the rest L,and theback part is fitted on the upper end of a bent lever, N, which isprovided at both sides of its angles with journals Z l, the latterfitting in bearings m on the upper surface of the plate I. The lower endof the lever N is connected by a link, O, with one end of a lever, P,which is underneath the plate I, and is attached thereto by afulcrum-pin, u, which passes through a pendent projection, o. (See Fig.3.) The opposite end of the lever P is connected by a link, Q, whichpasses up through the plate I, and has a screw-thread cut upon it toreceive a thumb-nut, R.

yFrom the above description it will be seen that by screwing down thethumb-nut R the last M will be firmly secured in position, the toe ofthe last being pressed snugly on the toe-rest L; and it will also beseen that when the plate H is allowed to rest on the cap-piece C in ahorizontal position the last M will be in a horizontal position, andthat by drawing out the bolt E and liberating the bar D and raising thesame the plates H I will also be raised in a more or less inclinedposition, in

consequence of the plate H being connected by hinges to the cap-piece Cand the bolt G being allowed to turn on its pin or pivot g. Thus thelast M may be adjusted in a more orless inclined position and the plateI turned, and also the last While thus inolined7 so as to bring the Workin any desired position required by the shoe-maker.

- Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The sliding bolt E, in connection with the' perforated bar D,arranged substantially las shown, for holding the last at a greater orless degree of incliuati0u,as may be required.

2. The levers N .P, link O, screw-link Q, and nut R, all arrangedsubstantially as shown, for the purpose of securing the last in properposition, as set lorth.

GEO. H. SMITH.

Witnesses A. C. VARNUM, S. C. SMITH.

